NCT07147829

Digital Silence and Mental Health

Digital Silence and Mental Health: The Effects of a Digital Detox Intervention on Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Sleep Quality, and Emotion Regulation in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Ataturk University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Social media use has been linked to negative mental health outcomes, including increased anxiety, depression, stress, poor sleep quality, and difficulties in emotion regulation. Digital detox interventions, which involve reducing or temporarily eliminating digital engagement, have emerged as a strategy to mitigate these effects. However, current evidence regarding their effectiveness is mixed and limited by short-term follow-ups and methodological variability. This study aims to examine the impact of a digital detox intervention on depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and emotion regulation in young adults.

Conditions

• Depression Anxiety Disorder
• Sleep Quality

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	digital detox	The digital detox intervention differs from other clinical interventions in several key aspects. Unlike pharmacological treatments or traditional psychotherapy, it focuses on behavioral modification by intentionally reducing or eliminating engagement with digital devices and social media for predetermined periods. The intervention emphasizes mindful technology use, limits screen time, and encourages offline activities to restore emotional balance and improve sleep quality. Additionally, it targets the cumulative effects of constant digital exposure, such as information overload, social comparison, and digital dependency, which are not typically addressed in standard mental health interventions. This unique focus on managing digital behavior positions digital detox as a complementary strategy for promoting psychological well-being in young adults.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-01
• Primary completion: 2026-01-01
• Completion: 2026-01-30
• First posted: 2025-08-29
• Last updated: 2025-09-18